Alfa Romeo GTV Cup V6 Review - The Most Beautiful Failure?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Today I am driving an Alfa Romeo GTV Cup. A gorgeous car in cup form, but on paper quite unremarkable. However, these cars have a dedicated following and today I finally get to find out what the fuss is all about.
#AlfaRomeo #GTV #Busso
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Having owned one for 13 years. I am sick of people saying no room in boot. You can literally get a full UK Tesco trolley load in it. Reliability near perfect if looked after. Most of all, a smile on your face every drive. No other car comes close for smiles per miles, if you get it sorted suspension and exhaust (Wizard quad ideally). Get one while you can.
100% !! Also got the set of golf clubs across the rear seats. Things a hoot to drive, 2L handled better, could thrash it more and non cup finish was nicer IMO. Had MOMO arrow wheels and some Italian made sloping rear spoiler with lights in it on mine in protero rosso. 67kmls with only 1 fault over normal servicing (for an Alfa).
@@splah01 Proteo?
Plus your shopping never falls over!
@@davidstuart4915 yes, it's a metallic red/wine. One of the nicer colours. Rosso Proteo.
Even more room if you take the spare wheel out and just use a can of foam
i owned a blue one from new in the 1990s and it got looks from everyone. It was also bullet proof if you can believe that. In 3 years, not a single fault or breakdown. Zero. I swear I got more shags because of this car. I should never have sold it.
Ok graham calm down😂
Graham you dirty dogger you
It doesn't look like you'll get many rugs in that boot...no matter which kind of pile, shag or otherwise.
Well done shagger
Don’t want to be a stuck in the mud but gtv cups didn’t come in blue,and you would have to be a contortionist to do it in a gtv.
This is one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. I prefer the standard to the Cup version actually as it does not have any add-on like this car which make it look cheap in my mind. In a few years people will realize how great these cars were and values will skyrocket (like most alfa's of the past).
@Jay, you're in the wrong petrol heads circles if they can't remember it! We all remember it and we love it. It gives us goosebumps!
Honestly I think the regular V6 looks way better. The lines are so much cleaner and it actually looks like it was designed in Italy. The cup version to me just has a cheap fast and furious vibe to it.
The regular one looks like it has pizza cutters for wheels lmao
@@ReviewedByAndy Pizza is good
Wheels are easily changed... Those 17" Teledials on that Cup aren't unique to that specification, they're one of the classic Alfa Romeo styles.
Yep re my comment above
Nah man this one is beautifull
I've had Cup number 127 for nearly 14 years. It used to be my daily driver until I moved office a few years ago. Never had any big problems at all. The car never fails to put a smile on my face, even parked, you can't help but look over your shoulder at it as you walk away. The wife keeps moaning at me to sell it, but I manage to fob her off year after year. It's a fantastic car, and I'll be sad to see it go when I eventually do sell it.
What an aesthetic masterpiece! Looks and sounds glorious. I almost bought one of these...wish I had. Missed the opportunity unfortunately. Lovely.
Bought a "Normal" 3.0 V6 GTV a year ago now, after many years without an Alfa in my life (the 3.2Q4 Brera was my previous), it's had all the mod's done - Q2 (which is transformational) GTA flywheel and clutch and a full rebushing/suspension refresh adn an Alfaholics exhaust. It's Coventry Green with Tan Momo's. A well fettled 3.0 GTV is a much better proposition than the Cup, I'd probably only sell mine for an SZ or quite possibly a tidy 105 Series GT Junior. Driving it as a 7/10ths car it all makes sense, especially with the glorious Busso under the hood. Being used to an S2000 (and one still keeps it company) the GTV isnt that short of storage space - even with the spare still int he boot.
That exhaust is dreadful
To be front wheel drive, instead rear, is the only real fault of this car.
Yep.
@@ultraguy8771 the 147 is fine as fwd, my second 147 sport limited I named Figaro used to destroy everything in tight turns including the BMW 1 series and mx5 and I'd say I'm an average skill level and nothing ever gave me a run for my money.
@@terryturner4116 The 4 cylinder versions are fine. With the V6 FWD just doesn't cut it, it just understeers everywhere.
You could get a Torsen diff which made it considerable better, but still not quite good enough. A BMW Z3 would run circles around this, as would a 130i around a 147 GTA now that you mention it.
A car that looks and sounds this good deserved to be RWD.
Yeah. That's the one thing that detracts from this really special car.
We need a rwd Restomod.
Owning one myself: if they made it RWD I don't think you could fit humans in the cabin 😅
I've had two gtvs. A twin spark and a 3.2. Both were bulletproof.
The twin spark was by far the best to drive. It's handling was sublime. The 3.2 was nose heavy and was also unbelievably thirsty when you caned it. Great cars 👍
Ive never driven the V6, but have driven the twin spark on the same windy road, that they used to regularly film the early Top Gear tv road tests on. I just remember feeling like I was driving a motorised ballet shoe, as it was so nimble through the bends. Love them!
To be fair, a different sort of engine experience. The twin spark reminds me of those youtube videos about classic sixties and seventies alfas, being driven round tuscany.
What I mean is that they are high revving, and sound better and better, the higher the revs go. 7000RPM, sounds like its actually possessed by a demon, or a 'metallic wailing banshee', as I once read it described as.
I had a wonderful 3 year old 164 Lusso 3litre V6 in the 1990’s.
Ran for 3 years and 60,000 miles , pulled like a train , sounded better than a Nightingale and never let me down.
Still look back with many happy memories.
Having driven one for 2years, great cars with some flaws but always turned heads either driven or parked up. Terrible headlights however regardless of bulb combos etc, verging on extremely dangerous. Serviced properly it handled very well. Brakes were good, engine was strong, electrics were so so depends on the day. Wind noise through the windows was annoying, would I buy another? Absolutely yes
@@mesco8200 my only complaint at the moment is the lack of visibility driving at night
I own no 46 and have done for the last 14 years never got bored with it. Oh by the way its the emergency boot release in the glove box....the rear badge swivels down
Seems like a lot of issues stemming from poor ownership
Absolutely
Prius economy tyres
Wtf
The most important component between the car and the tarmac is the tyres
Scandalous to skimp on tyres
@@darryllongley4025 and, if you have owned an alfa (or I guess any Italian car) you know that as soon as something even feels like its not right - you need to get it fixed otherwise it will cost you 5x down the road lol. I had a 159 TI and didn't have much free cash to spend on fixing the car as I was young, it really came back to bite me. I did have Pirelli P-Zero Neros on it though ...those cost a pretty penny.
I have owned and still own alfas
Id get second hand quality tyres over cheep new ones when funds were low.Theres plenty on ebay. Get them with 5mm+tread on them for as little as £50.00 a tyre and I've bought wheels with good tyres on for less than a full set of poor tyres.
Trust me . I still have a garage full of them.
Tyres really do make a difference mate.
@@KeenJT Whats being Italian got to do with that
@@LOTPOR0402 they are well known to need lots of servicing and care.
I bet a wizard exhaust would really get that Busso singing
Equal length downpipes sound the best but ground clearance even more of an issue. For me the Wizard on it's own makes them sound too zingy like an E46 M3
@RichJW not necessarily, ignorant comment really.
I have a Busso powered Alfa and I've never liked the Wizard "zing" either. I totally agree, if I wanted that I would have gone BMW... BMW is for folk who are worried what others think or enjoy tailgating everyone. Alfa Romeo is for someone who is a little less insecure. I've been a BMW owner too and wouldn't go back.
@@Negativvv I don’t subscribe to going for a car just because of brand . Bmw have a bad rep but I’d have the e46 M3 every time simply because it’s a better drivers car and my own personal opinion it looks better than this Alfa
Yeah the E46 M3 is a high point, the CLS one is especially awesome sounding... It's probably a better car than a 156/147 GTA although arguably they are different classes of car and not really direct competitors.
I sold some Alfa parts last week to some chap who came up from Devon. He has Cup number 1.
That exhaust doesn't fit and sounds like a hair dryer. The scraping will be the exhaust hanging too low
I agree and think ur right about the scraping
Agreed. The GTV sounds knackered. He needs to test a good one
Yep you can see it in some of the flybys. Also rear shocks are done I reckon
I had the regular GTV V6 in red, freaking amazing car, really felt like a mini ferrari.
I replaced it with a Maserati Gransport after I spun the GTV into a hedge in the rain (first and only accident, I'd put R spec tyres on the front but not the rear like an idiot and got FWD oversteer) yet the GTV in my opinion was the more responsive, sporty feeling vehicle - even though the Gransport is clearly a step above, in speed, style and exclusivity.
Fantastic cars, both of them!
I think something was technically not ok with this car. I have owned both the GTV 916 and the Fiat Coupé. The steering and suspension is mich more refined on the gtv. The Fiat has more power and the visco diff in its advantage, but it's more a car for the straight line. The Seating position is pretty awkward on both tough the seats are better on the gtv, despite you get a couple plus.
I think the suspension was completely worn out on this car, because normally the steering is pretty sharp, and the self steering on the rear makes it very nimble, tough its nose heavy as you mentioned. The steering and suspension is one of the strong points on this car, and at the time I found it better then the Audi tt for example (which then failed the elk test).
The real weak point ist the nose heavyness. Especially on the brake you can get a light an twitchy rear end, and the extra attachment for the rear suspension makes this car heavy, and it has a bad power to weight ratio due to the heavyness of this car.
I really like your objective reviews, but I don't comprehend it in many points. I think this is more a review for this car, but not for the 916 Series in general.
Keep up the good work
Kind regards!
I own a GTV 916 3.0 V6 and I agree with everything you wrote!
Agree with this. Suggesting that it's soft suspension set up for GT use and the fact that it's grounding suggests the suspension is knackered. The GTV is pretty firm. The bushes could be tired as well which will hurt the steering and rear end behaviour and is a common issue on the GTV (until you powerflex it).
Steering feel is very good in the GTV as well very communicative. I think this car is a bit of a dog and shouldn't have been reviewed like this.
Yeah this appears to be a less than stellar example to test underneath. Steering and suspension is normally pretty good on these, speaking from experience of owning a Spider v6 for twenty years now and driven loads of GTV’s over that time.
I think most alfa romeo cars are a heart over head purchase. The review on this car is sound. Its issues are there and theres no denying it. As people have pointed out, theres loads of examples out there with no issues too. You need to go into it with your eyes open and willing to take on the chin what the car throws at you. Some prior knowledge is also useful. This kind of car is an investment imho too. Cars are to be driven and enjoyed but also be aware that in another 20years, a garaged and looked after example will be worth a fortune. It is what it is. I like my alfa, wouldn't swap it for anything. But Its a passion. If its carefree and hassle motoring you want, get something else. Not that all alfas are unreliable but, when you get to this era and age, you must expect some issues. You cant get away or ignore that and you need to he ready for it and willing to give the tlc it needs.
Sounds like it needs a front and rear suspension rebuild and a geometry set up, as mine handles and points quite well. Grounding out maybe the exhaust
needs refitting a little higher/correctly as its rather low from the front shots in your video. Great car to own and drive, once you've had a cambelt, clutch and rear end rebuild (£3k ish). Good honest video, thanks.
Yep, it's not damped well enough. My 156 GTA was the same until I put Koni FSD shocks on it.
I’m on my 7th 916....5 GTV’s and 2 spiders 3 of them Busso engined , current one a Zoe yellow 2.0 TS ..
There’s loads “ wrong “ with them , but they have something and I suspect were they perfect the magic just wouldn’t be evident in the same way, they are simply more than the sum of their parts .
Regarding the V6 vs TS argument , imho the spider works better with a TS , hands down, the GTV in the V6 is the one to have , with one caveat ...if you live in a B road heavy area the Twinnie is better suited , you won’t get out of 2nd in the V6 where as the TS can have its neck wrung all the way up to 7500 RPM and you can work the engine and box..
The V6 is more of a GT hence the name gran turismo veloce, they can be sportier with a quaife, a lightened flywheel and other mods , suspension , short shifter etc ..but when you drive it really hard the handling deficits are highlighted,
out on a sweeping A road though ? Glorious noise and theatre !! The Busso is simply one of the best V6 engines ever produced .
Each time I’ve sold one I’ve asked myself what can replace it with ? And the answer is always another flavour of 916 !!
"63% of its weight is over the front wheels and that's not ideal"
What are you talking about? A 2021 Honda Civic Type R has 61% of its weight over the front wheels. 63% is pretty standard for a front wheel drive car. Are you expecting a fwd car to have a 50:50 weight distribution or something?
I couldn't even get to that part, the intensely irritating over-inflection of every sentence meant I had to bow out after the first minute.
I was thinking the same thing, that a fwd should have a 60/40 front weight bias; 50/50 is ideal for r/w/d.
A tad harsh, the Italian car cliches are strong in this video too. You either get why Alfa Romeo is special or you play safe and go German. Maybe the owner should have checked over their car before handing over the keys as it sounds like it is a little off it's potential best.
German cars are far from being a safe choice these days however. I get Japanese if I want to play safe and Italian if I want emotion. German cars are both boring and unreliable, so what’s the point?
these vids are an investment 20yrs into the future. thats when they stsrt getting really interesting.
Some fair points made but sounds like the car has its own issues rather than all GTV’s. 😅
Yeah got to be honest, it sounds like he has got a car to test that needs a lot of tlc.
what italian car doesn't have its own issues?
100% this! Suspension needs to be looked at, and the exhaust didn't sound nearly as good as it should (check a couple of videos I've uploaded). Also the clutch there is definitely not as it should be. Overall if you drive a car not well looked after, it's gonna be a crap experience regardless.
@@Anttihii just a joke my guy. i'm fully aware, i spent more money fixing my 92 civic than on the car itself
Jay wrote the car off because of the clutch (the pedal "likes to stick"), the throttle (too sensitive) and the suspension (allowing the car to scrape the ground). Then having recognised that the car "may" have had some "mechanical issues," concluded all Alfa Romeo GTV's were "not very good." Perhaps Jay needs to do a course in clear thinking beccause his review has no logic, is shallow and contradictory. I've owned two V6 GTV's and I have never experienced the problems Jay referred to. The reason is that my cars were always been properly serviced by Alfa Romeo expert mechanics. They are cars that must be serviced by someone who knows what they are doing. If you drive a car that has not been properly serviced, of course there will be problems in the way it drives. Why could Jay not have figured that one out ? To say the car ''doesn't have much power" is ridiculous. The car is 22 years old. 162kW was a respectable figure in 2000. But even this misses the point. It is the way the engine performs and the sound of the engine that has earned it the reputation among engineers as one of the finest six cylinder engines ever produced. Croswoth probably knew what they were doing when they approached Alfa Romeo and offered to buy the Busso V6 engine production line when Alfa flagged they would not be continuing production of the engine. If the car is a "modern classic" (which is one of the few good points Jay noted) then it is not a "lot of money" to buy one (as Jay alleged) as the cars are investments, going up in price. And to say the car is "too small inside" has more to do with Jay's size than the design of the car. It is a two seater sports car for Gods sake. I never found the car too small and I'm 6 feet tall. They are a brillant car. Unique design (by Pininfarina). Very good handing (with the Q2 diff. some would not believe it is a front wheel car. Jeremy Clarkson in 1998 described it as "one of the best sports of its time." ). Good performance ( 0-100 kph - 6.7 sec., top speed in excess of 270 kph) . And according to EVO Magazine in August 2011: " the original Alfa Romeo V6 was the most glorious sounding six cylinder road engine ever !" Kindly disregard nearly everthing Jay had to say about the car. D.McSteen.
James the crankcase is scraping the floor. I cracked mine over tram rails on my Spider on the very first drive and had to get a custom shield mounted...which was scraping the floor even more. I still miss the red leather Momo seats but man, I remember the 2.0l Twin Spark loved to understeer.
Italian cousin to the Acura Integra Type R
Italian, more beautiful cousin
@@snakeeater9078 and with beautiful V6 sound
Er no, Type R leagues more nimble and raw. Check out the contemporary reviews. Alfa a GT car, Type R a manic street racer. Tried both, owned the type R for a decade.
Owned three of these. Very early T spark, post 2001 3.0 and last of the line 3.2 were the best. Absolutely loved them and couldn't give two hoots about the faults. The GTV is that kind of car.
I need to get know you :))
Great video James, I never realised these shared the Fiat platform until you said.
I had one that had be rather tinkered with by Auto Delta. awesome 4 straight stainless pipes. the downside is it kept breaking and spent a lot of time in the garage! I loved that V6 what brought me back to my Alfa in my new Quadrifoglio.
So wanted one of these a few years back, find these attainable car reviews super interesting keep up the good work, great channel.
You say it would make a good GT car, well the clue is in the name GTV :) I had to use mine regularly from Bucks to Kent on M and A roads and it by far was nicer to use than our 2018 Cooper S.
Great vid, been eBay shopping these whilst in lockdown. Problem is being up in Aberdeen Scotland there are few and no decent shops for service. Still I am tempted; no doubt you saved me a few quid here! 👍
I crave for a GTV, one of my personal dream cars
my dad just sold his which he owned for about 15 years, you have got the pros and cons spot on. To me the biggest let downs were, the excessive weight, not being RWD, the rear lights being so bland (almost an after thought) and finally that is was just a standard GTV with a body kit.
Just sold one of these during lockdown after having it for a year and a half. It is a truly beautiful car with the best sounding engine I’ve heard in the flesh especially with the wizard exhaust......but there was always something wrong with it. You have to be properly interested in cars to appreciate such a thing as it’s not the best to drive, there’s no space and the steering is too light. It’s definitely not as good as a similar year 350z to drive which I have replaced it with. That engine is a masterpiece though! There’s an exhaust video on my page
Absolute dream car. Would have one in a heartbeat.
You might want to watch the whole video
@@sneaky_krait7271 You might want to form your own opinion, not just watch one video and go yeah thats all there is to it
C'mon guys, sneaky was just trying to be a smartass and cool at the same time :)
I'm more of a 164 Q4 person.
@@zigaveren3902 I feel like I can trust this dude, however can't wait to have a go in this once and see what I think. But seems quite bad
Lol - I've daily driven a GTV 3L V6 since 2007 with a cup kit. Plenty practical
Hi J, please dont be offended if I say that I much preferred this toned down more natural, non 'Clarkson Clone' delivery style
The 'grounding' I suspect is mainly the aftermarket exhaust + tyres
I bought a £400 (!!) silver GTV with red momo leather and did a very thorough Detail....then I couldnt take my eyes off :) - every time I parked up at a country pub, I would choose the best position to admire it as I walked away..and returned :) - inside red leather interior and view through the classic 'letter-box' windscreen made it feel very special
Unfortunately, the crazy price soon reveled the fact that the crank was rumbling, however with careful throttle use, I did manage to enjoy more than a years driving...now she is laid up, waiting for time, energy and money to restore - if only as a garden ornament! :)
Hi Jay, this car definitely has issues if you think it handles that badly. These are a very pleasant car to drive with a very nice balance. Slightly front heavy but definitely not sloppy handling car.
I've never been a fan of the Cup. Alfa Red cars of this era fade to pink and the problem with the Cup is you have metal, resin and plastic panels and they all fade at different rates. The shadow chrome wheels are not for me, subjective I know and again the bodykit kills the lines.... Plus points are the rarity and the half leather seats are much better than the over stuffed standard Momo leather seats found in most V6s which plonk you too high. I'd rather have a V6 with the Aerokit and the impossible to find Recaros...it needs a Q2 diff aswell.
the leather seats smell great decades on, look fantastic...but yes need padding softening in base and rails removing to drop seat onto floor - far too high! - Even considering cutting out driver side floor pan and lowering a further inch (6 fttall)
Spot on review. Turning circle atrocious, suspension set up for cruising. I had a GT with sports exhaust. Sounded absolutely bloody awesome. Electrical reliability was shocking and spoilt the ownership experience.
Loved these GTVs as a kid.
I’ve had one (phase2, not a cup) for a few years now. It has a few niggles (like any 20-year-old car) but it’s never let me down. I must say, my clutch is awesome and it is a little low but really doesn’t bottom out like your experience. A Q2 is the next upgrade and I think if you get to drive one with suspension sorted and a Q2 you might have a slightly different opinion. 🤷♂️
I had this car for almost 10 years. Back in its day it was a beautiful car. The car your driving sounds like its worn out with high mileage on it. The clutch should not be sticking. The clutch in these cars are fine if serviced properly. The rear suspension on your car needs to be rebuilt which is why its clunking and scraping. This is a classic sign of worn suspension. Cheap tyres do not belong on this car. There is nothing wrong with the throttle and throttle response. This is one of the best features of the car. If you cant sense this straight away then you have a problem with the throttle on that car. It sounds like you dont like an old car that is 20 years and not looked after that well. So dont think its correct to say GTV V6 is a failure. But maybe the car your driving is.
Great review and honest as always. Well done.
I appreciate it would be easier to say everything is amazing, but you are just honest and refreshing. Appreciated.
JM, just on the subject of Alfa Coupes, if you can get your mitts on a Brera V6, that would be most interesting. The V6 is a GM unit.
One of the most beautiful cars and engines produced
i own from 2018 a humble GTV 1.8 TS in the fabulous azurro nuvola which i have driven from the netheralnds to Greece.
i still remember how i dint spent a dime in hotels being able to sleep in a fine manner in this small GTV as the passenger's seat in its italian wise way drops completely horizontaly giving an amazing for its size amount of space to rest. i am still driving it in every day basis and it is an easy car to own and maintain. needless to say that still after 5 years i catch my self giving glances as i drive by the shops' vitrines mirroring this proportionate peculiarly beautiful azzuro nuvola italian artwork masterpiece
If it's anything like my TwinSpark was when I got it the bump stops (and possibly rear bushes) may be knackered which is the cause of the noises at the back. It really is sensitive to bush wear particularly the V6 which must have specific bushes fitted due to the added weight. The TS when all suspension is fresh is very nimble but also handles the bumps well for a sporty car, not so sure about the V6s.
@@Anttihii Correct, and that's all at the front, no extra weight at the rear.
The intro sums up my thoughts on the GTV, having owned one - plenty tangibly and obviously wrong with it. In many ways, not a very good car.
And YET...
As owner of Cup #152 for last 3 years I thought to watch this video. The looks both outside and in never fail to please, unique styling and not by the same hand as the Fiat Coupe, despite both having "slashes". I never knew about the boot release catch in the glove box! Thanks for that. But it is worth mentioning about the seats (I like the fabric BTW), which are superior to those in the standard car, lower for a start and so more suited to tall drivers. Yes the car is low but any grounding on mine is always at the front, so I suspect there is an issue with the rear suspenders on the car that was used for the piece, perhaps that affected the handling experience too. As to values, I keep track of those and have a table with all Cups offered for sale through the main advertising outlets in recent years. The £15k which is mentioned is top end and applicable to low mileage and near faultless condition. More typically for a decent one, asking prices are in the £12-14 range. Higher mileage ones can be sub £10k.
There is housing a 'spider' in your gtv, clean your roofline at the A-pillar
Beautiful italian v6! Yes please
How about reviewing one that isn’t a dog and has been looked after? Seems like the owner doesn’t care about his car.
Bit harsh
@@69bock69 But true.
If you think the gtv has ‘exactly’ the same styling as a fiat coupe, you’d be better off starting a cooking show instead
My dad owned one, a really nice and fun car
The only Alfa I’d ever consider
Dude that era of alfas are great: 156,147,gt,gtv, great handling and great reliable engines if you do the required maintenance, i own a 06 147 diesel and never had any problem watsoever, only regular maintenance, and with 120 hp it's fun on the twisties as well. And i get a nice mileage too.
Quadrifoglio?
Alfas have always been about the promise more than the delivery. Between my father and I, we owned, over time and as the need arose, nine Fiat 124 Spiders, a car I know well and love greatly. But I always wanted to move upmarket to an Alfa 1750 spider, the lure of having another 30 hp was enticing and the looks were a bit more exotic than our 124's. But, really, the performance of the 1750 wasn't all that special, it just looked it. When the USA ran out of 124's to buy, I bought a used, 1981 Alfa GTV-6, then eight years old. Oh, yes. Lovely car. Once the split head gasket failed and was replaced by a single-piece one, the car was bulletproof (we shall not speak of the driveshaft). Not waterproof, mind you, but mechanically bulletproof. Except for the A/C. In its day, the GTV-6 performed very well but Alfa is terribly slow to upgrade its models on a timescale used by the rest of the world and I think that's where they fail the most. The same platform and engine soldiered on as the not-at-all-attractive Milano (75) until even Alfa had to admit it was time to stop trying. Alfas do well against the contemporary competition at the moment they arrive, then seem to trail off after that. Now, in 2020, would I want my rusting, dry-rotted-leather, A/C-producing-actual-ice, broken speedometer, hard-to-shift, all-black-plastic-faded-to-gray GTV-6 back?
Oh, yes. Lovely car.
No matter how much you crap on it, I still want one. All heart, no mind. Alfa Romeo.
Now jump into a FIAT Coupe 20v Turbo.....
I drove a 20vt more than 300.000 km (190.000 mls) without major issues. A great and pretty fast car with a decent boot a good GT capabilities. If it only had rear wheel drive. It also was cheapest car to drive 250 km/h.
Most balanced chassi I ever drove.
Absolutely loved mine, wish id never sold it
Genuine 160 mph those 5cylinder turbos
James. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this review. I am an Alfa owner. I think only an old Alfa can inspire such witty and humorous dialogue. I felt a little bad for Robin. Only for a moment though lol. Spot on sir. Great video.
Don't feel too bad. He's a very happy man. Glad you enjoyed the vid!
@@JayEmmOnCars Duly noted lol
I never forgot. I've had 4 of them.
Dare i ask, why not just one?
Always had a soft spot for one of these or a Phase 3 GTV, but ended up settling with a 2008 Cloverleaf Q2 SE back in 2012, and it's a car I bloody miss now :(
Lovely car. I had the previous gen rwd 2.5 GTV6. One of my all time favs. Constantly went wrong, but on a good day, wonderful.
Always watch your videos full screen on my tablet. Love your stuff. JDS AZ. usa
Most workshops dont have the tools to set up the multi link rear axle right. Sounds to me that this car needs some adjustments from a specialist.
You need to own a gtv v6 before you can review...I purchased it ,and it took a number of drive's before I got the car,
All of a sudden u and the car are 1.
You feel everything though the steering wheel ,,something you don't get in other cars,no computer aids, just pure you and car.
Owned eight years and can honestly say didn't give me a problem except a air flow sensor (no cost £50 approx).
Superb engine,momo interior,power and that sound!!!
Love and you won't regret!
Awesome video. I'd absolutely love to see you review either of my e46.
My clubsport or my 320d se £600 daily.
Agreed. We have the spare in there and an unused cd multichanger. Plenty of space for shopping. Surprising amount behind the seats too for bits and bobs.
Like em, shared history with the fiat coupe...you need to drive a good plus or LE...then you’d understand why I love mine way more than my Alfa’s...😝 the coupe,wins out on power, tractability, sound almost with its five pot, comfort and excellent real world practicality and use ability....dailyed mine for years and still do! Get that coupe reviewed Jay!👍✌️. Loving the channel still, well done! Ps. Exhaust back box hanging low?😁
Buy one now before even these fly off to the Moon! Check the valuations!!
You say 220bhp was not a lot of power 🤔, back in those days that would have been no slouch.
Have had 2 V6 and a twinny. Loved them and hated them all lol
the power output might not be fantastic now, but when the GTV V6 came out in 1998 it was one of the more powerful cars in it's class. I had one in 2000 that was nearly new and I loved it. No grounding issues on mine, that one must need new dampers (they wear out quickly)
Which cars are in the same class?
@@lukazupie7220 Corrado VR6, prelude 2.2 Vtec, Celica GT4, BMW 328i, Fiat coupe 16V Turbo to name a few...
8:30 You can see the part of the exhaust scraping the road here; probably just some hangers loose or failed.
I agree, it's wobbling around like the rubbers are knackered or missing. And the wizard on mine sounds a thousand times better.
Just bought a 3.2 and picking up on Saturday. Red, with just 47k on the clock and brilliantly maintained. Had a 3.0 before that I paid to bring back from the dead, but had to sell. Can't wait to be back in a GTV...
I bet the rear bump stops have disintegrated and fallen off and hence the scraping. Pretty common on these!
I do love a bit of Busso action!
I know it’s not very fast, and not particularly good looking, or practical, the back is horrendous.. but I still want one #Alfisti
I have owned 3 fiat's all of which were OK but do you remember the old fiat advert, "fiat, made by robots" they should have added electrics made by primery school children but that fiat coupe 5 pot was awesome
all italian cars are like that,too much spaghetti in the wiring maybe?
@@simonalexandercritchley439 absolutely, went to buy an alfetta late 70s there was a gap between the side trim an door frame showing the paint work don't worry we will sort it give me 10 minutes, then he comes back come and see its OK now, it was fixed alright, black marker pen over the paint work!!!
@@simonalexandercritchley439 Do Italian electrical companies make smoke recharge kits like the Lucas ones?
@@pashakdescilly7517 No idea but Lucas(the king of darkness)has an italian cousin;Magnetti Marelli.
@@simonalexandercritchley439 Joeseph Lucas, Prince of Darkness. A prince, mind, not a king.
Another great review. Keep up the good work Man ✌🏼
It literally says GT on thé car, so yes it’s more of a GT than a Cup, which is as you say largely a style exercise. The ride, on a well sorted car does not bottom out and most I’ve seen - survivor cars - will have ajustables. The clutch is heavy, but most big lads can press it successfully. Perhaps your 2 weeks, back in the day with a tired one is influencing your view as the Twin Spark, JTS and Busso are very different cars. It’s isn’t possible to compare them behind aesthetics if you in fact want to present a « driver review » these cars are twenty to thirty years old and among their rivals at the time were, as ever, remarkable engineering. As a owner of several 916s, I am probably biased, but this « review » isn’t remotely reflective of the car or what to expect from a well cared for modern classic. Might as well throw in some one line Ex Clarkson gags tbh.
Having owned one for 8+ years I regretfully sold it. TBH the 105 series GTV was "better" but the 916 was more comfortable, especially with AC in the Australian summer.
The scraping from the rear is the rear tyres rubbing on a folded piece of sheet metal, near where the rear quarter meets the rear bumper. The GTV was originally released with 16in wheels and when upgrading to the 17in wheels the scraping occurs.
Best things to do:
1. Q2 diff - the standard open diff is prone to breaking, upside is this also helps with the understeer.
2. lightweight single mass flywheel and sports clutch - faster climb through the revs.
3. fit a quality cat back exhaust, I had a mild steel cat back single pipe to a muffler before the rear axle line, this then split in to two pipes, one to each side, then small muffler at the rear bumper with quad tips angled out about 30 degrees. Looked like nothing else and sounded epic, you could hear me coming from a couple of blocks away, I'm sure my neighbours loved it too.
4. ceramic coat the headers, will need to be "gen 1" headers as those are catless - helps keep the under bonnet heat down
5. powerflex bush the rear end only, this will help tame the passive rear steer and while at it replace the rear bump stops.
6. fit some quality suspension, I used KW V2
7. Get a proper wheel alignment, that is take it to a specialist, have it corner weighted with the coilovers and set up the geometry for your style, I had setup for light track and fast street.
8. Don't mess with the intake, had a few friends with GTVs and we tried all sorts of things and frankly the stock intake performed the best HP wise. OF course you could fit a supercharger and go crazy.
9. Good rotors and pads along with maintenance... boy did she need alot but was worth it.
With all this the turn in was quite good to the point it caught out the Porscher driving training instructor who wasn't expecting it to handle so well being front heavy that he accidentally bounced it off a curb or two on the track by accident. Luckily no damage :)
This is one of those heart over head cars. You know it’s just wrong and it’s going to cost you, but...
I have the phase 3 gtv 2.0jts. Had since June 2009 bought secondhand and I have no regrets. Sure the boot is smaller than most including with space saving tyre. Sure it’s not the fastest. Sure the rear seats only fit children though I have had four other adults in the car one was over six foot and my drivers seat so far toward my nose neatly touched the steering wheel. However, she does all that I ask of her and some having been to and from France regularly for nearly as long as I’ve had the car. Fairly bullet proof if serviced and maintained. I’d like a shoe - goes where I put my foot. And as it’s the car I have had the longest out of the few cars I have owned - says a lot. And even now I often see other drivers in particular with gazes at the car as I go past. My smile is still present. One thing that bugs me though is you can’t drop some one off with out having to turn the engine off to the boot release so the can get their bag out😂.
I saw an alfa romeo jayemm video so i liked it before watching
between this and a fiat coupe I'd have to go for the coupe. But is a pretty car.
What a silly review. This is NOT a sports car, it's a GT (Gran Turismo) therefore it's not built for the racetracks but simply to have an enjoyable drive on normal roads. It's a 20 year old car, get the suspensions checked and there will be nothing touching in the back. Heavy in the front? I noticed it was also heavy on the right side.
I have a GTV V6 lusso and have never really understood why there's such a price premium on the Cup version. There's no performance upgrade, the styling is an acquired taste and it doesn't have the gorgeous full leather seats.
As for handling, I've fitted the Alfaholics handling kit and it is utterly transformed. Turn in is sharper, balance in corners so much better and the uneven weight distribution doesn't show at all.
The latest in Jay's excellent series saving us from buyer's remorse
I nearly brought a GTV cup back in 2009. Agreed a price, drove down from te Midlands (car was located in Kent) and just outside Watford the gearbox (or so it felt) went on my 2003 156 GTA.
So I had a choice, contine with te sale and be broke fixing the GTA, or spent the money on the gearbox, I choose the latter, and tbf the seller was a complete gentleman about it.
Got the GTA towed back to my local indie who looked at it for a good week....
Turns out was just low gearbox oil, which with labour cost me £200, so I got back onto the seller but unfortunately the car sold, and for a grand less than I'd agreed
Everything happens for a reason.
These are nice whatever the engine...🙂👍
Testdrove one 1999. Drive couldn't keep up with the looks. At crossroads, I couldn't see the traffic light when I was in front. I always had to bend down.
I think this review was too harsh, focussing on “but it’s an Alfa” which doesn’t wash with any rational thinking person.
I drive a GTV V6 3l Lusso (not cup) and I adore it. I also drive a Mazda 6 estate, which I also love, for very different reasons. What I love about my gtv is that it is very different to my Mazda!
I love the tiny boot. This seems to be not a car for supermarkets or diy centres. The rear seats are not for people either but they mean the car can cope with the biggest supermarket trip you can throw at it. Fair play, it’s no good for planks of wood. I don’t have any problems with ground-scrapes like this review points out. It’s never happened to me. ‘It’s an Alfa” but I have no rust after close to 25years of the car’s life.
The car is indeed a bit fickle. It needs a cambelt change, costing close to a £grand, uncomfortably regularly. The suspension bushes need replacing too often (few £hundred). You keep a constant eye on the wear of the expensive tyres you buy,, the spec mpg is a fantasy. This car costs money to keep it on the road. But for me that is all part of owning a true and proper sports car. And it doesn’t cost that much. Normal people can afford it. Try keeping a Ferrari with its 3000 mile service requirement. Never mind that it really does turn heads, never mind that people really do approach you in petrol stations and chat about your wheels,.when I drive this car it puts a smile on my face. It is like a magic charm. The sound of the engine. Dropping down to 2nd gear at 40mph to whiz past a lorry. This car is freaking fast. 0-60 in less than 6s. It’s true - I have timed my 22 year old. It is a sports car, with an appropriate demanding but rewarding relationship. Yes you can buy bmw or jag or merc that go faster with more leg room and better leather but my car gives you the same thrill of driving. Yes you can buy faster cars for less but my car has a roof, leather seats and you can hear the radio. It feels luxurious, super quick, and it feels special.
This car can stand with all sorts of top makes like Porsche, Lotus and and even Ferrari while costing a lot less, and a lot less to maintain. And it does it because it drives so well. I defy anyone to drive an Alfa Romeo gtv 3l v6 and not smile at some time.
Every now and again great cars are made and this is one of them. My mum is too scared to drive it but she loves being a passenger (and she secretively loved having a go).
Cool, super cool. I'm just off to press Thumbs Up.
Chris Bangle designed the Fiat Coupe, not sure he did this. Either way, it's gorgeous, what a rear.
Enrico Fumia
If it keeps grounding it's either got something wrong with it or someone has fitted equal length down pipes that reduce the ground clearance to stupid levels. Noting to do with set up. I've had two and never grounded either. The exhaust noise isn't the best aspect of that engine - the induction noise is why we love it.
if it had equal length downpipes it would sound a lot better than this example. Tired front end more likely the culprit
Weird thing was it was almost certainly the rear touching the deck
@@JayEmmOnCars back end on V6 is rose jointed unlike the TS. Sometimes certain tyres even though correct size maybe slightly over sized can catch on the inner wheel arch liner. The later GT also suffers from this. They are basically massively flawed - I love mine but must admit it's not a very good car, but it makes me smile. Saying that it's going to be sold to fund the restoration of my 75 Twin Spark...now that is a proper car.
@@JayEmmOnCars The brackets that hold the rear bump stops fill up with water and alkways rust out until the bump stops fall off. Sorry to say that GTV didn't seem to be in A1 condition. Maybe like the Integrale you need to try a well sorted one?